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Club Chief Refutes Any Transfer Claim Linking Manchester United Midfielder Amidst £35m Demand

Henrikh Mkhitaryan
Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke has denied all the rumours regarding Manchester United’s outcast Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s potential return to Germany, saying that the rumour “is only conceivable with a great deal of imagination.”

The Armenian has massively fallen out of favour in Jose Mourinho’s squad with the likes of Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and even Juan Mata being preferred ahead of him. Mkhitaryan started his season in absolute style, notching up 5 assists in opening 3 Premier League games. But as the season progressed, his effect faded away and so did his chances of getting into the first-team.

The situation has gone from bad to worst for the midfielder as he has not even been picked in the matchday squads recently. He was reduced to substitute appearances in the EFL Cup loss to Bristol City and the 2-2 Premier League draw with Leicester City at the weekend, with his last start coming in United’s 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on November 5.

With that being done, reports regarding his potential return to Bundesliga started resurfacing with The Independent quoting Borussia Dortmund as the favourites to grab him back. Mkhitaryan joined United for a reported £30m back in 2016 and according to Daily Mail, United would demand at least £35m from any club who would look to sign him in January.

Speaking about the same, Dortmund chief Hans-Joachim Watzke has revealed that the fee quoted by the media cannot be considered by Dortmund, hence in the process, has warded off all the talks regarding a move.

“I know the economic details of his transfer to Man United like nobody else,” he told Bild am Sonntag, as quoted by Goal. “That’s why [his return] is only conceivable with a great deal of imagination.”

Jose Mourinho, on his part, has already conceded that he would allow his players to leave in January if they are not happy but only if the interested parties met United’s expectations.

“For the right price, that is my approach as a manager in case the club advise. Every player has a price,” Mourinho said, as quoted by Sky Sports, fuelling rumours of a busy transfer window.

Mourinho has time and again criticised Mkhitaryan’s work ethics and has accused the Armenian of going missing in big games, which, in a practical sense, is true. Furthermore, Jesse Lingard’s recent form has only added more misery to Mkhitaryan’s fate. Hence, it seems like his departure is imminent. However, it remains to be seen whether it will be in January or not.

Written by Patrick Rees

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